Tearful Rory McIlroy caps tumultuous year with double DP World Tour win

After a year fraught with personal and professional turbulence, Rory McIlroy ended 2024 in his much-frequented happy place: the winner’s circle.

After a year fraught with personal and professional turbulence, Rory McIlroy ended 2024 in his much-frequented happy place: the winner’s circle. A third career win at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Sunday put the gloss on a sixth Race to Dubai victory for the Northern Irishman, who battled back tears as he discussed triumph on the 18th green at Jumeirah Golf Estates. “It means a lot. I’ve been through a lot this year professionally, personally,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “It feels like the fitting end to 2024. I’ve persevered this year a lot.” Victory sealed the 35-year-old’s fourth title of the season after a pair of wins on the PGA Tour – a highly successful campaign by most golfer’s estimations, but McIlroy’s storied talent means many measure his seasonal success by majors. The world No. 3’s decade-long pursuit of an elusive fifth major crown was extended in devastating fashion at the US Open in June, as two late missed putts from inside four feet helped Bryson DeChambeau snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Pinehurst. The previous month, McIlroy had filed for divorce to end his seven-year marriage with Erica Stoll, but the golfer announced they had reconciled their differences on the eve of the US Open.